US2294419A - Underfired coke oven - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 1, 1942. C. OTTO EAL 2,294,419

UNDERFIRED COKE OVEN INVENTORS 74H Orr@ fief/,vs h/frM/ y M ,af/Ew ATTO R N EY Sept. l, 1942. x C, 011-0 TAL 2,294,419l

UNDERFIRED 'COKE OVEN v F'i1ed`Nov. 28. 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 1, 1942 UNDERFRED COKE OVEN Carl Otto, New York, N. Y., and Frans Wethly, Manhasset, N. Y., assignors to Fuel Relining Corporation, Dover, Del.

Application November 28, 1940,*Serial No. 367,506y

8 Claims.

The general object of the present invention is to provide improved means for supplying rich fuel gas to the combustion iiues of an underred coke oven battery. The term rich fuel gas, as used herein, means a gas which, like ordinary coke oven gas, has a B. t. u. value higher than ordinary producer or blast furnace gas, and which is not regeneratively preheated before its passage into the coke oven combustion lues in which it is burned.

Heretofore it has been customary to supply rich fuel gas to the combustion flues of underred coke oven batteries through horizontal distribution pipes located in the basement space beneath the masonry including the coke oven brickwork and its supporting deck of reinforced concrete. Such distribution pipes .extend transversely of the battery, and each supplies gas to a plurality of vertical heating flues in a single heating wall through corresponding branch pipes, each of which includes a regulating device accessible for adjustment from the basement space.

When gas is supplied through the distribution pipes located in the basement space of the battery, as described, there is a possibility that the gas passing through the pipe will occasionally be cooled to a temperature low enough to effect the condensation of water, naphthalene, and other vapor constituents. The presence of Water of condensation in the distribution pipes is objectionable, especially if the gas contains HzS as is frequently the case, since the water and HzS initiate chemical reactions, resulting in the deposit of sulphur, which may eventually clog up the distribution pipes and their branch outlets. Clogging difficulties result also from solid deposits of condensed naphthalene and in some cases the condensation occurring in the pipes may result in their corrosion.

To avoid objectionable condensation in distribution pipes located in the basement space of underred coke ovens, the gas Vis sometimes preheated prior to its introduction into the distribution pipes, but such preheating requires additional apparatus and involves expense. All risk of such condensation may be avoided by locating the distribution pipes in the reinforced concrete deck which forms the basement space roof and supports the coke oven brickwork in the manner as disclosed in the van Ackeren Patent 2,205,839, granted August 2, 1939. When the distribution pipes are so incorporated in the deck, the heat transmitted by the coke oven brickwork to the deck heats the distribution pipes to temperatures high enough to preclude condensation in the pipes.

Some objection to the incorporation lof the rich fuel gas distribution pipes in the concrete supporting deck of an underfired coke oven battery has been suggested on the ground thatwith such an arrangement, defects may develop in the piping embedded in the masonry which may be diicult or practically impossible to correct or eliminate. While we think that such objections have little or no practical justication. the specic object of the present invention is to devise an arrangement in which the rich fuel gas distribution pipes are so located beneath the concrete deck, so as to be accessible for repairs and replacement, but are so disposed and have their branch outlets 'so disposed las to absorb sufficient heat from the deck to eliminate the risk of objectionable condensation in the distribution pipes and their branches.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention! are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, its advantages, and specic objects attained with its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which we have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is `a partial transverse section of a coke oven battery, taken on the line I-I of Fig, 2;

Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal section of the battery taken on the broken line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged reproduction of a portion of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 andS arerviews each taken similarly to Fig. 3, and each illustrating a different modification of the construction shown in Fig. 3. n

In Figs. 1-3, we have illustrated the use of the present invention in a horizontal underflred regenerative coke oven battery comprising a concrete layer or deck A, which directly supports the coke oven brickwork, and forms the roof of the basement space a. of the battery. The deck A is supported by beams C, which, in the construction shown in Figs. 1-3, ext-end transversely of the battery and are carried by columns or posts CA extending upwardly through the basement space a. from the usual battery foundationror mat (not shown).`

VThe coke oven brickwork B comprises a lower story or section, and an upper story or section.

by the combustion of lean gas which requires Y preheating, or by the combustion of rich gas which does not require preheating, Pairs 'of regenerators E alternate `with pairs of regenerators e along the length of the battery.

The upper story or section of the coke oven brickwork mass B is shown as of well known type comprising horizontally elongated coking chamber F, alternating with heating walls'G, each of the chambers and walls extending from one side o`f the 'battery to the other. Each heating wall G is formed with vertical ues y and g' alternating with one another in a row extending from one side o'f the `battery vto the other. AEach lilueg and an adjacent iiue g are connected at their upper ends and collectively form a so-called hairpin ue. Each heating wall VG is directly above a ycorresponding Aregenerator division wall HD, which may therefore be aptly called a pillar wall, and beneath each coking chamber F is an rintermediate regenerator division wall d.

Beneath each-ofthe regeneratorsE and e is a correspondinglsole channel E or e', respectively,

lthrough which vthe Awastefheating gases which flow down through the regenerator, when the latter is serving as an"oi regenerator, pass to one vor both sides of the battery, and thence vthrough Athe usual reversing valves to the waste heat flue system which kforms-no part of the presentinven-tion and may'be of the usual type, and .hence need not be illustrated-.or further described. Each of the regenerators E and Ve is connected at its -upper edge by channels E2 or e2 in the V-brickwork to the lower end of one limb, g-or y', of eachof the hairpin iiues in each of the two heating walls G directly Yabove the two immediately-.adjacent rpillar walls D between which the vregenerator islocated, and each hairpin flue limb is connected by -a channel E2 to theref generator E at one side of thezsubjacent pillar wall D, and is connected to the regenerator e at .the other side of said ...pillar wall by a second channel e2. The combustible agent, air or lean gas, pre-heated :in each of lthe regenerators E and e, may be supplied to -the regenerator in which it is pre-heated through the corresponding sole channel E or e, or,.as shown, through a corresponding distribution pipe H or h, each of .said pipes being embedded in theconcretedayer A, and'being formed with a multiplicity Yof -outlets distributed along the length of its-top wall. The now-through each-of said outlets may be regulated by the sizezofV the measuring orifice or :nozzle .passage in a nozzle .member H"threaded into or --otherwise .replaceably mounted in the -outlet opening. Each nozzleH discharges into 4a, corresponding uprising Vpassage Aiormed in Athe layer A and communicating at its Vupper end flues g and g through channels J and JA leading upward through the deck A and intermediate regenerator division walls d. As shown, there are a set of channels J and a set of channels JA in each wall d. The channels J in each wall d correspond in number to and are connected to one set of hairpin ue limbs g or g in one adjacent heating wall, and alternate along the `length of the wall with the channels JA in that wall, said'channels JA being connected to the hairpin ilue limbs g or g' in the other heating wall adjacent the wall D. The various hairpin ues in each heating wall thus have the lower ends of their limb g connected to uprising chan- -nels J or JA in the adjacent regenerator division wall d at one side of the heating wall, and have their limbs -g' connected to uprising channels J or JA in the adjacent regenerator division wall d at the opposite side of the heating wall. The lower portions of the channels J and JA are vertical and centrally disposed in the corresponding division wall d, but the upper portions of the channels J curve away from that wall toward the other of the two adjacent heating Walls.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-3, each of the channels J and JA has its lower portion lined by a tubular metallic part JB incorporated in the lower portion of the deck layer A, and having a lateral gasinlet within the deck layer and having its lower end extending downward into the basement space and normally closed by a cap or plug member JB', which can be removed to permit the channel to be inspected or cleaned, or temporarily Villed by liquid cement to close leaky walls, joints, or cracks. Each of the .channels J and rJA in a single regenerator division wall d may simultaneously receive rich 'fuel gas through its lateral gas inlet andan individual branch from a horizontal distribution pipe HA located in the upper portion of the basement space a, adjacent, but slightly to one side of the corresponding row of caps JB.

As shown, each of said distribution pipe branches comprises a vertical nipple h having itsupper Aend screwed into the vertical lower end of an elbow h2 and having its enlarged lower end screwed into a threaded outlet opening formed in the pipe HA at its upper side. The horizontal upper end of the elbow h2 is connected by a 'horizontal nipple h3, to the metallic part JB in the corresponding channel J or JA. The nipple h3, elbow h2 and the upper portion of the nipple h' 'are all located within the deck layer A. As shown, however, the nipple h. can be rotated to disconnect it from and reconnect it to the pipe HA and to the corresponding elbow h2, by a suitable Wrench or'other implement extending into and across the pipe HA through an opening in the bottom wall of the pipe-normally closed by a plug h4, and large enough to permit the passage of the nipple h. v.The rate of fuel gas now through each branch pipe connection, is regulated in the construction shown in Fig. 3, by

Vthe size of the orifice in an externally threaded orice K screwed into an internally -threaded Vseat portion of the nipple h. Each orice member vK can be removed. and replaced by another having an orice of different flow capacity by a suitable tool extending across the pipe HA, and into engagement with the member K, through the bottom wall opening in the pipe HA normally closed by the corresponding plug h4.

As shown, the` lower half of the Ipipe HA is `within a trough-shaped body Q of lheat insulating material supported from the pipe, the sides of the body Q being spaced away from the adjacent portions of the pipe HA to provide a heat insulating dead air space. With the pipe HA supported within a few inches of the underside of the deck and with the member Q minimizing the heat losses -from the underside oi the pipe, the latter will be maintained at a temperature high enough to preclude condensation therein even under extreme climatic conditions. Moreover, as is clearly shown in Fig.l 3, each orifice member K is within the deck A, so that under all `conditions it wil-l be maintained at a temperature appreciably higher than the temperature of the pipe. The resultant additional security against condensation in the orice members is desirable because of the small orice diameters of such members, and the fact that only a very slight clogging of an orifice by condensed material may objectionably reduce the fuel supplied through that oriiice effect the fuel distribution.

The arrangement shown lpermits the pipe HA to be located adjacent the ceiling of the basement space so that it offers little interference to movements of attendants through said space while at the same time the pipe is readily accessible for repairs or replacement.

The general advantages of the present invention can be obtained with different constructions and arrangements, some of which are shown in Figs. 4-8 inclusive.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 4, the branch pipe connection between each tubular metallic part JB and the corresponding pipe -H comprises a -bent pipe h having a lower vertical portion connected by 'a union h.6 to a tubular outlet branch h,7 of the pipe HA. The horizontal upper end portion of the pipe h5 is connected to the nipple h3 metallic part JB, through a vertically disposed tubular member L. The latter is incorporated in the deck layer A, and is provided with an internally threaded seat for a removable oriiice member K, which when screwed in said seat, is located above the level of the pipe h5, and below the level of the nipple h3. The oriiice member K of Fig. 4 is accessible for cleaning and replacement through the lower end off the member L,

on the removal of the Iplug L' normally closing said end. As shown, the plug L is formed with a recess or seat L2 for the lower end of a wire or rod M, which may extend upward through the orice in the member K, to reduce the flow capacity of the latter by 'a small amount. Great- 'U er changes in the orice flow capacity may be effected by replacement of the orifice member K in use, by one of different now capacity.

The modied form of our invention shown in Fig. 5 differs from that shown in Fig. 4 by the replacement of the member L incorporated in the layer A by the body or casing N of a reversing cock or valve. As shown, the body N is formed with a vertical tapered valve .chamber N' and horizontal ports N2 and N3 at its opposite sides, respectively Icorn-municating with the bent pipe h5 and with the nipple h3. A frusto-conical plug valve n, iittinlg in the valve chamber N', is formed with a horizontal through ypassage n', receiving a replaceable orifice member n2, and is adapted to establish or out off communication between the ports N2 and N3, accordingly as the -plug valve is turned into one or another angular position in the lchamber N. The valve n has a stem n3 extending axially downward from its and thereby to the :corresponding s Cil lower end. A horizontal operating lever n4 is secured to the stem n3, which may be connected to the usual automatic reversing mechanism employed to periodically reverse the direction of glas flow through the flues and reegenerators of a regenerative coke oven. As shown, the valve n is removably secured in place in the valve body N by a clamping member or a head N4 connected to the valve body by stud bolts N5, and engaging the lower end of the valve.

As shown, decarbonizing air may be supplied to the tubular member JB of Fig. 5, through the Corresponding valve n when the latter is turned into the angular position in which it closes communication between the ports N2 and N3. In that position, an air passage extending axially through the valve stern portion n3 has its laterally extending upper end in register with the .port N3. When the valve n is turned to .bring the ends of its passage n into register with ports Nz and N3, the upper end of the pass-age 11.5 is closed. by the conical wall of the valve 4chamber N. The `lower end of the air passage 115 is open to the atmosphere :at all times.

In the normal operation of an ordinary underred coke oven battery, it is desirable and customary to .pass decarbonizing air into the vertical oven fuel gas channels, such as the channels J and JA, during approximately one half the time, i. e., during each orf the regenerator reversal periods in which yfuel gas is not being supplied to said channels. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, the decarbonizing air supplied to the channels J yand JA does not .pass through the distribution .pipe HA from which the channels are supplied with rich fuel gas during alternate reversal periods. The arrangement shown in Fig. 5 thus avoids the risk of the objectionable sulphur deposits in the distribution pipes which exist when those pipes are used to alternately supply fuel gas and decarbonizing air to the vertical channels. This is due to the fact that ordinarily, the chemical reactions which result in the deposit of sulphur in the distribution pipes, require the presence, although not necessarily the simultaneous presence, in the distribution pipe, of oxygen, water and a gas having a sulphur content.

In the form of our invention shown in Fig. 6, each channel J, and JA, receives rich fuel gas through a pipe O extending vertically through the deck layer A and connected at its lower end to a T, or cross shaped iitting P, having one channel branch connected by a horizontal nipple hm to the corresponding distribution pipe HA, and having an aligned horizontal opening closed by a plug H" which can be removed to permit replacement of the orice member KA, which is screwed into the horizontal branch to which the nipple h1@ is connected. A plug P normally closes the end of the tting P beneath and in register with the pipe O, but may be removed to open the channel J for inspection or cleaning and repair purposes.

To permit the deck layer A and superposed portion of the battery structure to be supported by beams R running longitudinally of the battery, as disclosed and claimed in the prior patent application, Serial No. 314,760, led January 20, 1940, by Carl Otto, one of the applicants herein, the pipe HA shown in Fig. 6 is located within a recess A10 formed in the underside of the deck layer A, beneath the corresponding regenerator division wall d. To increase the temperature to which the pipe HA and orifice members KA are `,pivoted detent Q2 releasably connecting the opposite side of the Wall to the deck layer A.

In the form of our invention shown in Fig. '7, the distribution pipes I-IA which supply rich fuel gas to the uprising channels in the regenerator .division walls d, are above the longitudinal deck supporting beams R, each pipe HA being received in a recess in deck layer A, as in the construction shown in Fig. 6. In the Fig. 7 arrangerment, however, the insulating walls Q are omitted and the branch pipe connections from the pipes HA fare like those shown in Fig. 3, each including an orifice member K located in the portion of the nipple h' which iswithin the deck layer A and receives heat directly therefrom by conduction.

When the battery is supported by longitudinal beams R, as shown in Figs. 6, 'Land 8, the reinforcing eiTect on the deck concrete layer A of the transversely extending distribution pipes H and h incorporated in said layer, may be supplemented, when necessary, by the effect of other reinforcing means incorporated in the layer A,

such, for example, as the I-beams S shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, and which may extend from oneside of the battery to the other.

If, for any reason, it is undesirable to locate the distribution pipes HA above the deck supporting beams R extending longitudinally of the battery, as theyv are located in the constructions shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the distribution pipes may be'located beneath the beams Q, or each of those pipes may extend through corresponding openings' formed in the central portion of each beam, as shown in Fig. '8.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, we have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of the invention now known to us, it Will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and vthat in some lcases certain features of the invention may be -used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

`Having now described our invention, what We -claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An underred regenerative coke oven battery comprising a mass of masonry above a basefment space, regenerator division Walls in the lower portion of said mass, oven heating Walls 1ocated in the upper portion of said mass and formed with combustion flues, uprising rich fuel gas supply channels formed in said division walls and connected at their upper ends to said flues, rich fuel gas distribution pipes beneath said mass and conduit connections between each of said pipes and a plurality of said channels each of which comprises a restricted orice portion which is in position to absorb heat from said mass and is surrounded by heat insulating material.

2. A coke oven battery as specified in claim 1, in which the restricted orice portion of each of said connections is embedded in and insulated by said masonry mass. Y

3. A coke oven battery as specied inclaim 1, in which each conduit connection includes a lower vertical portion and an upper horizontal portion both imbedded in said masonry massrand in which an orifice member is removably securedV in said vertical portion.

4. A coke oven battery as specified in claim 1, in which each conduit connection includes a portion Which is embedded in said masonry mass and includes a restricted orifice and a reversing valve.

5. A coke oven battery as specified in claim 1, in which each conduit connection includes a portion embedded in said masonry mass and including a restricted orifice and a reversing valve, and in Which said reversing-valve is provided with a decarbonizing air inlet.

6. A coke oven as specified in claim l, in which said masonry mass is supported on beams-extending longitudinally of the battery and in which said mass is formed with recesses in its under side extending transversely of the battery and in which said distribution pipes are located above said beams and in said recesses.`

7. A coke oven battery as specified in claim .1, in which said masonry mass is supported on beams extending longitudinally of the battery and in Which said mass is formed with recesses in its under side extending transversely of the battery, and in which said distribution pipes are located above said beams and in said recesses, and v in which heat insulating material is located beneath said distribution pipes.

l8. A coke oven battery as specied in claim -1, in which each of the uprising rich fuel gas supply channels is provided at its lower end with a closure accessible for removal from beneath said masonry mass, and in which each of said conduit connections includes a portion embedded in said masonry and opening to the corresponding supply channel at a level above the closure therefor.

CARL OTTO. FRANS WETHLY.

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